CULLOMPTON
WAR MEMORIAL

The
memorial is located on Cullompton High Street and takes the form of
a base surmounted by a tapering plinth, a shaft and a wheel cross with
the inscription on one side of the plinth and the names on base sides
of the plinth. On the front of the memorial are crossed rifles with
a wreath in the centre. There memorial was unveiled in 1920; the mason's
were Messrs Easton & Son; monies were raised by public subscription.
The UKNIWM states that there are 34 names for World War 1 (but there
are more) and 17 for World War 2. One name has been added for post war
1945 for Iraq 2007.

Photograph
from an old postcard

THE
GREAT WAR
1914 - 1918
THIS MEMORIAL WAS RAISED BY
THE INHABITANTS OF CULLOMPTON
TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND
IN HONOUR OF THOSE WHOSE
NAMES ARE HEREON RECORDED
WHO
PLACING COUNTRY BEFORE COMFORT
AND HONOUR BEFORE EASE,
GAVE THEIR LIVES
FOR THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM.
FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH

BASTONE

William
David

Private
1485, 1/4th Battalion (Territorial), Devonshire Regiment. Killed
in action in Mesopotamia 3rd February 1917. Born Tiverton, enlisted
Cullompton. Son of Mr D. Batstone, of The Bungalow, High St. Cullompton.
Buried Amara War Cemetery, Iraq.

[Listed
as S/Gnr on memorial], Able Seaman Bristol Z/1670, SS Obuasi, Royal
Naval Volunteer Reserve. Died 11th July 1917. Aged 19. Son of James
& Eugenie Bradbeer of High Street, Cullompton. No known grave.
Commemorated Plymouth Naval Memorial, The Hoe, Plymouth.

Major
50968, attached 1st Special Air Service, Wiltshire Regiment. Died
10th April 1945. Aged 33. Son of Major C. G. Bond, The Wiltshire
Regt, and Mrs Bond. Husband of Evelyn Hinchcliff Bond of Kilve,
Somerset. Buried Sage War Cemetery, Germany.

Leading
Stoker D/KX 94034, HMS Tamar, Royal Navy. Being trasnported as a
Japanese Prisoner of War and lost when the SS Lisbon Maru was sunk
2nd October 1942. Aged 22. Son of William & Fanny Stone. No
known grave. Commemorated Plymouth Naval Memorial, The Hoe, Plymouth.

It is with deep regret that the Ministry of Defence must confirm
the death of Rifleman Daniel Lee Coffey, from 10 Platoon, C Company,
Second Battalion The Rifles, in Iraq on Tuesday 27 February 2007.

Rifleman
Daniel Coffey
[Picture Courtesy: MOD]

Rifleman Coffey, 21, died as a result of injuries sustained during
a patrol in north Basra. He was returning to his base at the Shatt-Al-Arab
Hotel after taking part in a task mentoring the Iraqi Police Service
when his patrol was ambushed by two gunmen.

Rifleman
Coffey was on top cover providing protection for the patrol vehicles
when he came under small arms fire attack from the gunmen.

He
was immediately evacuated by helicopter to a field hospital and
despite the valiant efforts of medical staff and the provision of
the best available medical care, he sadly died later in the day
from his injuries.

Rifleman
Daniel Lee Coffey was born on 8 July 1985 in Exeter. He was single
and leaves behind a loving family centred around Cullompton and
Newcastle. Rfn Coffey enlisted into the army in August 2005. After
completing his Combat Infantryman’s Course at the Infantry
Training Centre in Catterick where he won best shot, he was posted
to The Devon and Dorset Light Infantry (DDLI) in February 2006.

He
deployed with the DDLI to Iraq on Operation TELIC 8 between April
and November 2006, operating out of the Shaibah Logistics Base on
the outskirts of Basra City. He then almost immediately volunteered
to serve in Iraq again, deploying to Basra City North with C Company
Second Battalion The Rifles in January 2007.

Major
Michael Foster-Brown, his Company Commander, said:

"Rifleman
Coffey was professional, enthusiastic and a reliable soldier with
a bright future. He fitted in very quickly, winning everyone’s
respect and admiration, not least for his sense of humour and his
enthusiasm for soldiering. He greatly enjoyed his new friendships
in the Second Battalion The Rifles and he had asked for a permanent
transfer to the battalion and wanted to come with the Company to
Ballykinler. I fully supported his request - I told him we were
always happy to have good men.

"He
was very fond of his family and used to delight in showing pictures
on his mobile phone, in particular the newest edition to it, his
six-month old brother. As well as his family in Devon, he spoke
often about visiting his mother in Newcastle who, due to tours and
spending time in Exeter near his father, he had not seen for a while.

"He
was patriotic, as evident by his vocal support for England in any
sport and was a good football player. His nicknames included 'Beaney',
named after Mr Bean the TV character and 'John' after a character
with a similar surname in the film the Green Mile.

"Rifleman
Coffey had the qualities of a good rifleman: hard-working, thorough,
quick-witted, brave, adventurous and with maybe just a hint of cheekiness.
With these qualities he had strong potential for the future. We
will miss him and we feel for his family."

"The
death of Riflemen Coffey as a result of enemy action on 27th February
represents a tragic loss to all Riflemen in the Second Battalion
The Rifles. He lost his life protecting his fellow Riflemen in the
dangerous environment of Basra City. He had only recently been posted
into the Battalion but had quickly made his mark on C Company.

"His
sense of humour, his skill as a Rifleman and his enthusiasm for
soldiering on operations in Iraq were clearly evident to all around
him. The fact that he volunteered to return to Iraq for a second
tour of duty only two months after having completed a seven month
tour with his previous Regiment - The Devon and Dorset Light Infantry
- is a humbling testament to his dedication and his selfless commitment
to the service to his country.

"As
the first soldier of the Rifles to be killed in action, Rifleman
Coffey occupies a unique place in our Regimental story. In death
he is a shining example for all Riflemen who serve now and in future
of what we hope to be as Riflemen. We are all proud as brother Riflemen
to have served with him and our thoughts and prayers are with his
family and close friends at this time of grief and sorrow."

"We
are all proud as brother Riflemen to have served with him and
our thoughts and prayers are with his family and close friends
at this time of grief and sorrow." Lieutenant Colonel Justin Maciejewski MBE

"Rifleman
Coffey joined 10 Platoon in early January 2007. He fitted within
the platoon straight away and was liked by his peers. A professional,
reliable soldier with many qualities, his courage is unquestionable,
volunteering for Operation TELIC 9 just after completing Operation
TELIC 8 in November 2006. He will be greatly missed."

Rifleman
Douglas Brady of 10 Platoon, who went through training with Rfn
Coffey, said of his friend:

"Dan
was one of the best soldiers I have ever met and a loyal friend.
If I was down he knew and would always get a smile out of me. We
spent many times together in the dirt during attacks together and
although we were scared he found humour in it.

"Whatever
we did together he always made me laugh. He loved his family very
much and always spoke highly of them. He was my best friend in the
Army and I love him like a member of my family. He will always be
in my memory."

Rifleman
Ian Lewis of 11 Platoon served with him in the Devon and Dorset
Light Infantry and moved to C Company, The Rifles with him:

"Rifleman
Coffey was the best friend I made in the Army. We got through Operation
TELIC 8 together and the Infantry Training Centre. The one thing
I will remember the most was his integrity and the way he never
complained about anything he had to do. We had made plans to live
together after the Army. One thing I know is true that I am going
to miss him dearly. He is a big loss to the Army and to society."

Lance
Corporal Harold Anderson, 11 Platoon, added:

"He
was a quiet bloke who took his job seriously and loved the Army.
He was easy to get on with and knew what he was doing. The first
time I met him after he arrived in theatre was when he was attached
to my platoon for guard.

"He
seemed rather quiet so I began to make conversation with him. First
he was telling me about who he was in training with, then we talked
about his name. A common one was ‘Coffee, 2 please’
and he found it funny.

"He
was telling me about the previous Operation TELIC, what he had done
and what it was like. He told me he volunteered for this tour because
it was what he joined the Army for and he loved it.

"After
getting to know him I realised that he was switched on and keen
to learn. He made friends quickly and was seen as a team player.
Just to think we have lost a good soldier is wrong. Most of all
he was one of the boys, a Rifleman by heart."

Rifleman
Thomas Thompson, 11 Platoon, also said:

"He
was a credit to work with. When people were down he always made
them laugh."

Defence
Secretary Des Browne said:

"The
death of Rifleman Coffey is deeply saddening. The fact that he volunteered
for a second tour of duty, so shortly after returning from Iraq,
is testament to his courage and devotion. I am sure he will be sorely
missed by all those who knew him. My thoughts are with his family,
friends and fellow soldiers at this difficult time."